And a thousand voices rose on high,

As its gliding form flew swiftly by;

Each bright and beautiful thing of earth

Awoke to hail its heavenly birth.

Sweet beam, said I, oh! how I’d love,

Like thee, the bright green earth to rove;

To shine o’er the hearts of pale despair

And kindle a glow of rapture there.

Just then, a darkling cloud flew by,

And shadowed the face of the azure sky;